Two-Rock Opal vs. Two-Rock Opal Signature!

[StratStringSlinger]

From what I understand Two-Rock has resurrected the Opal in the form of the Opal Signature. The description for the product mentions that it's built with 'current components and assembly techniques'. How does the new Opal Signature compare tone-wise with the original?

[kimock]

Originally Posted by StratStringSlinger

From what I understand Two-Rock has resurrected the Opal in the form of the Opal Signature. The description for the product mentions that it's built with 'current components and assembly techniques'. How does the new Opal Signature compare tone-wise with the original?

I own a one-off octal Opal "thing", and I played a nice 9-pin version for one tour.
Haven't played a new one yet.

I have been working with Bill K. since before Two Rock got started though, so if I can read the question as "How do the current components and assembly techniques compare tone-wise to the original Opal components and assembly techniques?", I would say they're much better.

imho etc, peace.

[StratStringSlinger]

Originally Posted by kimock

I own a one-off octal Opal "thing", and I played a nice 9-pin version for one tour.
Haven't played a new one yet.

I have been working with Bill K. since before Two Rock got started though, so if I can read the question as "How do the current components and assembly techniques compare tone-wise to the original Opal components and assembly techniques?", I would say they're much better.

imho etc, peace.

Yea, the Opal was around before I knew about Two-Rock, never heard one expect for the YouTube clip and of the Red Suede amp on TGP. I really like the clips (as I like a stiffer/snappier tone and the OD sounds are more rock'n). How do you think the Opal Sig compares to the current flagship amps like the CRSv3 or TS1? Judging from the description it sounds like you can switch between HRM and non-HRM? Does both modes compare well with dedicated HRM/non-HRM amps?

Thanks!

[Steve Snider]

Originally Posted by kimock

I own a one-off octal Opal "thing", and I played a nice 9-pin version for one tour.
Haven't played a new one yet.

I have been working with Bill K. since before Two Rock got started though, so if I can read the question as "How do the current components and assembly techniques compare tone-wise to the original Opal components and assembly techniques?", I would say they're much better.

imho etc, peace.

I totally agree!!

[StratStringSlinger]

So many questions come to mind. How does the octal preamp version compare to the 9 pin/12ax7 version?

Any owners of original or Opal Signatures that can chime in?

[traviswalk]

I had an early Opal that is now owned by TGPer PeeCee in Japan. It was an awesome amp with a top notch clean channel that I would stay in for 80% of the time. Fast, stiff, hyper responsive with lots of headroom for a 50 watter in addition to a buffered FX loop and on-board reverb. The lead channel was equally fast and stiff and to me sounded amazing with humbuckers but would need to bring the gain down quite a bit with single coils.

My old Opal is the biggest Two-Rock sale that I regret!

I have not tried the Opal Signature or the octal model.

[StratStringSlinger]

Originally Posted by traviswalk

I had an early Opal that is now owned by TGPer PeeCee in Japan. It was an awesome amp with a top notch clean channel that I would stay in for 80% of the time. Fast, stiff, hyper responsive with lots of headroom for a 50 watter in addition to a buffered FX loop and on-board reverb. The lead channel was equally fast and stiff and to me sounded amazing with humbuckers but would need to bring the gain down quite a bit with single coils.

My old Opal is the biggest Two-Rock sale that I regret!

I have not tried the Opal Signature or the octal model.

Great review/info! How was the HRM/Non-HRM switching? How would you say the the OD tones are or how do they compare with their other amps i.e. CRS, Type 3, TS1, etc; since you owned about every TR evar! =)

[traviswalk]

Originally Posted by StratStringSlinger

Great review/info! How was the HRM/Non-HRM switching? How would you say the the OD tones are or how do they compare with their other amps i.e. CRS, Type 3, TS1, etc; since you owned about every TR evar! =)

The HRM is internal and for my taste I backed down the internal HRM gain knob and it still had plenty of gain on tap. To my ears the OD tones were more aggressive than the smoother CRS and Type 3, and probably even more aggressive and edgier than the TS1 that I heard recently. I put the Opal in the same camp as the stiff and aggressive Type 2/Type 1.

[StratStringSlinger]

Originally Posted by traviswalk

The HRM is internal and for my taste I backed down the internal HRM gain knob and it still had plenty of gain on tap. To my ears the OD tones were more aggressive than the smoother CRS and Type 3, and probably even more aggressive and edgier than the TS1 that I heard recently. I put the Opal in the same camp as the stiff and aggressive Type 2/Type 1.

On a side note, if you had to choose...would you pick the TS1, Opal or other?

[traviswalk]

Originally Posted by StratStringSlinger

On a side note, if you had to choose...would you pick the TS1, Opal or other?

For gigging purposes the Opal is great because it has huge 50 watt headroom on the clean side (rivals most 100 watters I've owned) plus the benefit of on board reverb and buffered FX loop. For pure tone, I would probably tip my hat to the 100 watt TS1 as the one I heard was a real sweet machine!

[LSchefman]

Chuck Proctor's Opal was the first TR I ever heard in person or got to play, and that amp made me LUST for a TR until I finally got one (my first TR was an Onyx, and while it was different, it still had that TR vibe). What a great amp!

I haven't heard the new ones, but the original was really special. As someone said earlier, it was a very responsive amp, very lively and sensitive to picking.